Shortland Chambers was established in 1986 and is New Zealand’s largest set of barristers’ chambers. We have 34 members (18 of whom are Queen's Counsel) and a team of junior barristers.

Shortland Chambers’ members offer expert advice and advocacy in many practice areas. Their specialisations cover a broad range of commercial, civil, criminal and regulatory fields. Some members accept appointment as mediators and arbitrators.

Shortland Chambers has a distinguished record of achievements through its current and past members. A number of former members have been appointed as judges of the Court of Appeal, High Court and District Courts.

Past and present members have been active in the administration of the bar and legal practice in New Zealand through serving on the executives of the New Zealand Bar Association, the New Zealand Law Society, the Auckland District Law Society, the Legal Research Foundation and various specialist professional groups.

Chambers has a number of Associate Members who are based outside Auckland. In Australia: David Shavin QC (Melbourne), David Russell QC (Brisbane) and Dr Matthew Conaglen (Sydney). In the United Kingdom, Francis Barlow QC (London). In Wellington Bill Wilson QC.

How we work

Shortland Chambers’ members are independent practitioners who share facilities and resources in a collegial environment. Their key drivers are ethics, professionalism and a desire to best serve the interests of clients.

Members are retained by a wide range of solicitors from leading law firms to sole practitioners and corporate counsel throughout New Zealand and overseas. Given that many leading litigators practise from Shortland Chambers, it is not uncommon for members to act as opposing counsel.

The breadth of experience within chambers enables cross-disciplinary teams of barristers to be assembled at different levels of experience to manage complex disputes.

Shortland Chambers is supported by a group of junior barristers who provide research and analysis as required. Many of the juniors are former judges’ clerks and all are highly regarded.

Instructing our barristers

In most circumstances, barristers must be instructed by solicitors although there are some exceptions. Specific enquiries may be directed to individual barristers or to their personal assistants. More detailed information can be found on our FAQs page.

Shortland Chambers does not operate with clerks. Rates and briefs are negotiated directly with counsel.

Shortland Chambers is proud to announce that it is the first barristers' chambers to adopt the new Gender Equitable Engagement and Instruction Policy which was recently launched by the New Zealand Law Society and New Zealand Bar Association. The policy requires adopters to commit to increasing the proportion of women lawyers leading court proceedings and other contentious matters.

In signing up to the policy, Shortland Chambers has demonstrated its commitment to the goal of gender equity at the independent bar. A key objective of the policy is that by 1 December 2018, adopters will use reasonable endeavours to have women lawyers with relevant expertise take a lead on at least 30% of court proceedings, arbitral proceedings, and major regulatory investigations. As a policy adopter, Shortland Chambers will be required to provide a biennial confidential report to the Law Society on the measures taken to achieve the target.

Chambers member Jenny Cooper QC and Chambers junior Gretta Schumacher were closely involved in the development of the policy. Jenny says the policy has been welcomed by key players across the legal profession: "I am very optimistic that this policy, and the fantastic level of support it has received already, mark a real turning point for women in our profession."

The policy was launched at the offices of law firm Russell McVeagh on 5 December 2017. Daniel McLellan QC, chairperson of the Shortland Chambers board, signed on behalf of Chambers (pictured). The policy can be accessed here.